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RiskMetrics Group Reports First Quarter 2008 Results

PR Newswire
Posted: 2008-05-08 07:40:00

NEW YORK, May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RiskMetrics Group Inc. (NYSE: RMG), a leading provider of risk management and corporate governance products and services to participants in the global financial markets, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.



Earnings Highlights: The following GAAP results reflect the acquisition of ISS on January 11, 2007 and the CFRA acquisition of August 1, 2007. The Pro Forma results are presented as if ISS and CFRA were acquired on January 1, 2007 (see Table E for a reconciliation of GAAP and Pro Forma financial results).



    -- First quarter revenues increased 36.0% on a GAAP basis to
       $71.2 million, and 19.5% on a pro forma basis.

-- First quarter Adjusted EBITDA increased 53.9% on a GAAP basis to $23.2 million, and 36.1% on a pro forma basis with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 32.6%.

-- Adjusted EPS (before amortization of intangibles, stock-based compensation and one-time IPO costs) for the first quarter 2008 was $0.13 up from $0.05 in first quarter 2007. GAAP EPS was $0.01 in both the first quarter of 2008 and 2007.



"This quarter we experienced strong growth despite the volatility in the global capital markets. Risk management continues to be a top priority among institutions and corporations," said Ethan Berman, Chief Executive Officer of RiskMetrics Group. "Our results are indicative of the continued strong demand for our market leading services across risk and governance. We are particularly encouraged by the diversity of the new business we generated in the first quarter both by market segment and geography."



All amounts (except share and per share information) are in thousands, unless indicated otherwise.





Selected Financial Information

Table A Three Months ended March 31, % Year over Year Comparison 2007 2008 Change

Revenues: Risk $27,319 $34,436 26.1% ISS 25,046 36,784 46.9% Total Revenues 52,365 71,220 36.0% Operating Cost and Expenses: Adjusted EBITDA expenses (1) 37,288 48,017 28.8% Other operating expenses (2) 6,569 11,152 69.8% Total operating costs and expenses 43,857 59,169 34.9%

Income from operations 8,508 12,051 41.6% Interest, dividend, investment and other loss, net (7,904) (11,477) 45.2% Income before income taxes 604 574 -5.0% Provision for income taxes 315 227 -27.9% Net income - GAAP $289 $347 19.9%

EPS (diluted) - GAAP $0.01 $0.01

Adjusted Net income (3) $2,523 $8,564 239.5%

Adjusted EPS (diluted) (3) $0.05 $0.13

Adjusted EBITDA (4) $15,077 $23,203 53.9%

Adjusted EBITDA margin 28.8% 32.6%

(1) Represents cost of revenues, research and development, selling and marketing and general and administrative expenses, excluding stock-based compensation and one time charges. Refer to tables I and J for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP measure.

(2) Represents depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, loss on disposal of property and equipment, and stock- based compensation. Refer to tables I and J for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP measure.

(3) Represents net income and EPS before amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation and one-time IPO costs. Refer to table D for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP measure.

(4) Represents net income before interest expense interest income, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization, non-cash stock based compensation expense and extraordinary or non-recurring charges or expenses. Refer to table C for a reconciliation to the comparable GAAP measure.



First Quarter 2008 Revenues



Total revenues for the first quarter of 2008 were $71.2 million, up 36.0% from $52.4 million in the first quarter of 2007 on a GAAP basis.



Pro forma revenues increased 19.5% from $59.6 million in the same period of 2007. Included in the Q1 2007 pro forma revenues are $3.3 million of revenues from the 11 day period before the ISS acquisition and $3.9 million of CFRA revenues (refer to Table E).



On a business segment level, first quarter Risk revenues were $34.4 million, a 26.1% increase over first quarter 2007. Results were primarily due to RiskManager(TM) revenue growth of 39% over the year ago period resulting from strong sales to both the asset management and hedge fund sectors. EMEA revenue grew by over 31% year-over-year, and Americas revenue grew over 21%.



ISS revenues were $36.8 million in the first quarter of 2008, a 46.9% increase from first quarter 2007 on a GAAP basis. On a pro forma basis, revenues grew by 13.9%. EMEA revenues grew 22.7% and Americas revenues grew 11.6% on a proforma basis.



Total Governance Services (mainly Proxy Research and Voting Services) revenue of $22.4 million increased 11.4% from the prior year period including the 11 days before acquisition due to growth in the Custom Research and Global Proxy Distribution product lines. Financial Research and Analysis ("FR&A") revenues of $14.4 million grew by 18.1% over the prior year pro forma revenue due to strong growth of Corporate Services and ES&G analytics revenues.



"The balance of our business across our large and diversified client base and across geographic regions continues to position us for growth despite uncertainty in the global capital markets, Mr. Berman continued. "This quarter we had a record $21.8 million of new Annualized Contract Value ("ACV") sales, an increase of 66.8% over Q1 07. The contribution to this performance was quite broad and diversified. European new sales grew over 100% and the Americas grew over 45%. We experienced strong new sales performance in both the hedge fund and asset management sectors."



Adjusted EBITDA Expenses



Adjusted EBITDA expenses, which exclude depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, and non-cash stock- based compensation expense, interest, dividend and investment income (expense) and income tax expense, increased 28.8% to $48.0 million for the first quarter. On a pro forma basis, Adjusted EBITDA expenses increased by 12.8%.



Compensation expense, which accounted for 69.0% of total Adjusted EBITDA expenses, increased by 27.3% to $33.1 million. On a pro forma basis, compensation expenses increased by 10.3% as headcount grew at a lower rate than revenues.



Non-compensation expenses increased to $14.9 million. On a pro forma basis, non-compensation expenses increased by 18.8%, due mainly to increases in legal and accounting costs related to being a public company as well as increased occupancy and data costs.



Adjusted EBITDA expenses represented approximately 67.4% of total revenues for the first quarter, compared with 71.2% in the year-ago period.



Adjusted EBITDA



Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA increased 53.9% on a GAAP basis to $23.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $15.1 million in the first quarter of 2007. On a pro forma basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased by 36.1% from $17.1 million in Q1 2007. Pro forma Q1 2007 Adjusted EBITDA includes $0.9 million of Adjusted EBITDA related to the January 1-11 period before the acquisition of ISS, and $1.1 million of CFRA Adjusted EBITDA.



EBITDA, including a stock based compensation expense of $3.4 million, was $19.8 million in Q1 2008. The stock-based compensation charge included a one- time charge of $1.4 million charge related to the IPO stock option grants.



The Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 32.6% in the first quarter of 2008, compared with 28.8% in the first quarter of 2007 and 30.2% for full year 2007, as revenues continued to grow at a higher rate than Adjusted EBITDA expenses.



On a segment level, the Risk business generated Adjusted EBITDA of $12.0 million which was a 53.2% increase over the first quarter 2007. The first quarter Risk Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 34.8% as compared to 28.6% in first quarter 2007 as revenues grew by 26.1% and Adjusted EBITDA expenses grew by 15.1%.



ISS generated Adjusted EBITDA of $11.2 million in the first quarter which was a 54.5% increase over first quarter 2007. On a pro forma basis, ISS Adjusted EBITDA increased 21.5%. The first quarter ISS Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 30.5% as compared to 28.6% in first quarter 2007 on a pro forma basis as Adjusted EBITDA expenses grew by 11.1%.



"We continued to expand our Adjusted EBITDA margins in the first quarter primarily driven by increased Risk margins," said David Obstler, Chief Financial Officer of RiskMetrics Group. "Revenue growth coupled with the scalability of our operating structure has allowed us to increase margins across both Risk and ISS."



Other Operating Expenses and Income from Operations



Other operating expenses increased 69.8% to $11.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 from $6.6 million in the first quarter of 2007. This was primarily due to an increase in stock based compensation of $2.6 million as a result of stock based compensation expense from IPO stock option grants, and a $1.3 million increase in amortization expense. Income from operations increased 41.6% to $12.1 million from $8.5 million in the first quarter of 2007.



Interest, Dividend, Investment and Other Income (Expense), Net.



Net interest, dividend, investment and other expense increased from $7.9 million for the first quarter of 2007 to $11.5 million for first quarter of 2008. The increase in other expense was mainly due to one time IPO and debt repayment-related costs of $5.0 million, which consisted of a $1.25 million debt prepayment penalty fee and a $1.4 million loss on an interest rate swap settlement, both included in the Other Expense line and a non-cash $2.4 million debt issuance cost write off, included in Interest Expense, during the first quarter of 2008. This increase in expense was partially offset by decreased interest expense (net of debt issuance cost write-off) and increased interest income as a result of reduced debt borrowings and increased cash balances during 2008. We expect this trend of lower net interest expense to continue for the remainder of fiscal 2008.



Net Income and EPS



Adjusted net income, as defined in Table D, increased to $8.6 million in Q1 2008 from $2.5 million in Q1 2007. Adjusted EPS increased to $0.13 for the first quarter of 2008, from $0.05 in the prior year. First quarter 2008 net income includes $6.3 million of one time IPO and debt repayment-related charges.



GAAP net income and EPS was $0.3 million and $0.01, respectively, for the first quarter of 2008 and 2007. The effective tax rate in Q1 2008 was 39.5%.



Selected Operating Data

    The Company believes that the supplemental consolidated financial
information is helpful to understanding the Company's overall financial
results.

As of and for Three Months Table B Ended March 31, Operating Data 2007 2008

Annualized Contract Value (1)

Risk $109,294 $142,505 % Growth - 30.4%

ISS (1) 94,359 125,058 % Growth - 32.5%

Annualized Contract Value 203,654 $267,564 % Growth - 31.4%

Recurring Revenue as a % of total revenue (2) Risk 97.1% 99.0% ISS 85.6% 84.6% Recurring Revenue as a % of total revenue 90.9% 91.6%

Renewal Rate Risk 87.6% 87.7% ISS 89.0% 89.6% Renewal Rate 88.2% 88.4%

Notes to Operating Data Table: (1) We define annualized contract value ("ACV") as the aggregate value, on an annualized basis, of all recurring subscription contracts in effect on a reporting date. CFRA was acquired on August 1, 2007 with $15.9 million of ACV which is not included in ISS ACV as of March 31, 2007.

(2) We define recurring revenue as a percentage of total revenue as revenue from subscription contracts divided by total revenue during the applicable period.



Overall, renewal rates were 88.4% in the first quarter of 2008 as compared with 88.2% in the first quarter of 2007. Risk achieved a Q1 2008 renewal rate of 87.7% while ISS had a renewal rate of 89.6%, both slightly higher than in Q1 2007.



Recurring revenue as a percent of total revenue increased to 91.6% in Q1 2008 from 90.9% in Q1 2007. This increase was the result of the increase of Risk recurring revenues to 99.0% of total revenues in Q1 2008, as the Company continues to emphasize its subscription products. The percentage of recurring revenues for RMG and ISS was lower in the first quarter of 2008 than for the full year 2007 due to the seasonality of non-recurring Corporate Services revenues resulting in an over- weighting of those revenues in the first quarter of each fiscal year.



Annualized Contract Value increased 31.4% in Q1 2008 as compared to Q1 2007, with Risk increasing 30.4% (from $109.2 million to $142.5 million) and ISS growing 32.5% (from $94.4 million to $125.1 million). The increase in ACV was driven by a strong growth of new Risk sales, as well as by the CFRA acquisition which contributed $15.9 million of acquired ACV. Pro forma for the CFRA acquisition, consolidated ACV grew 21.9% and ISS ACV grew by 13.4%. Risk average ACV per client continued to increase to over $225,000, from $205,000 in 2007.



On a consolidated basis, the Company had $21.8 million of new ACV sales in Q1 2008, up 67.8% over Q1 2007 and up 46.7% over Q4 2007. The performance was particularly strong in the Risk business where new ACV sales nearly doubled over Q1 2007. The new sales performance was quite diversified with 50.7% coming from the Americas and 43.7% from EMEA. We also experienced strong new sales growth from both the hedge fund industry and from the asset management sector.



In Q1 2008 RiskMetrics continued to have success in growing our relationship with existing clients with approximately 60% of new ACV sales coming from existing clients.



Discussion of Cash Flow



As of March 31, 2008, cash, cash equivalents and investments were $87.3 million, as compared to $27.5 million on December 31, 2007. Operating activities for Q1 2008 used cash of $12.9 million, compared to a cash usage of $8.1 million Q1 2007. Cash flow from operations decreased by $4.9 million in 2008 compared to 2007 due to $1.3 million of cash used for a debt pre-payment penalty fee, and $1.4 million for an interest rate swap settlement in connection with the pre-payment of debt in 2008, as well as the timing of accounts receivable billing and collections.



As in previous years, cash flow tends to be lower in the beginning of each year due to bonuses and commissions paid during this period and due to the seasonality of contract renewals and corresponding up-front payments, which are somewhat weighted in the second half of each year. As a result of contract renewals being weighted during the second half of the year and bonus payments in the beginning of the year, more cash flows from operations is generated during the second half of the year than the first half of the year.



Capital expenditures decreased to $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared to $2.1 million in the prior year. Financing Cash Flows generated cash of $74.8 million during the quarter primarily due to net proceeds received from the IPO partially offset by the pay down of $125.0 million in debt.



Free Cash Flow (operating cash flow minus capital expenditures) for the first quarter of 2008 decreased to negative $14.7 million compared to negative $10.1 million in the first quarter 2007. Second quarter 2008 cash flow will be positively impacted by the expected receipt of over $6.0 million income tax refund and negatively impacted by a one-time principal debt payment of $6.4 million.



2008 Guidance



As of March 31, 2008, the Company anticipates revenue for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008 to be in the upper half of our previous revenue range of $285 million to $295 million. Renewal rates are expected to be in the 89%- 91% range.



Adjusted EBITDA is also expected to be in the upper half of our previous $90 million to $95 million Adjusted EBITDA range, with Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion between 150 to 200 basis points. Unlevered Free Cash Flow (Adjusted EBITDA less Working Capital Changes less Capital Expenditures) is expected to be in excess of Adjusted EBITDA.



Conference Call Information



The Company will hold a conference call to discuss results for the first quarter of 2008 today at 10 a.m. Eastern. The call will be hosted by Ethan Berman, Chief Executive Officer, and David Obstler, Chief Financial Officer, of RiskMetrics Group. Investors can participate in the conference call by using the following dial-in details:



    US Toll free dial-in      800.901.5241
    International dial-in     617.786.2963
    Pass code                 13539642


In addition, investors can access the conference call directly from the RiskMetrics Group Investor Relations Web Site at http://investor.riskmetrics.com.



    RiskMetrics Group Media Contacts:
    Cheryl Gustitus                    Sarah Cohn
    301.556.0538                       212.354.4643
    cheryl.gustitus@riskmetrics.com    sarah.cohn@riskmetrics.com

RiskMetrics Group Investor Relations Contact: Dan Concannon 866-884-3450 ir@riskmetrics.com


About RiskMetrics Group



RiskMetrics Group is a leading provider of risk management and corporate governance products and services to participants in the global financial markets. By bringing transparency, expertise and access to the financial markets, RiskMetrics Group helps investors better understand and manage the risks associated with their financial holdings. Our solutions address a broad spectrum of risk across our clients' financial assets. Headquartered in New York with 19 global offices, RiskMetrics Group services some of the most prestigious institutions and corporations worldwide.



Forward-Looking Statements



This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or to future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are, in some cases, beyond our control and that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements.



Other factors that could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements can be found in the Company's December 31, 2007 Annual From 10-K which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2008. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary significantly from what we projected. Any forward-looking statement in this release reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward- looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.



Notes Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures



RiskMetrics Group (the "Company") has provided certain non-GAAP financial information as additional information for its operating results. These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative for, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") and may be different from non-GAAP measures reported by other companies. The Company believes that its presentation of non-GAAP measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA expenses, other operating expenses, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS and free cash flow, provides useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to its financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company's management uses these measures for reviewing the financial results of the Company and for budgeting and planning purposes.



Adjusted EBITDA



The table below sets forth a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income on our historical results:





Three months ended Table C March 31, 2007 2008

Net income $289 $347 Interest, other expense, net 7,904 11,477 Income tax expense 315 227 Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment 1,584 2,115 Amortization of intangible assets 4,189 5,456 Stock-based compensation 796 3,361 Non-recurring expenses (a) - 198 Loss on disposal of property and equipment - 22 Adjusted EBITDA $15,077 $23,203

(a) Represents lease exit costs incurred from moving the Company's London operations.



Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our credit facilities, represents net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, non-cash stock-based compensation expense and extraordinary or non-recurring charges or expenses. It is a material metric used by our lenders in evaluating compliance with the maximum consolidated leverage ratio covenant in our credit facilities. The maximum consolidated leverage ratio covenant, as defined in our credit facilities, represents the ratio of total indebtedness as compared to Adjusted EBITDA, and can not exceed a maximum ratio range which declines from 8.50 to 3.00 over the life of the credit facilities. Non-compliance with this covenant could result in us being required to immediately repay our outstanding indebtedness under our credit facilities. Adjusted EBITDA is also a metric used by management to measure operating performance and for planning, including preparation of annual budgets, analyzing investment decisions and evaluating profitability.



We also present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure because we believe that this measure provides our board of directors, management and investors with additional information to measure our performance, provide comparisons from period to period by excluding potential differences caused by variations in capital structure (affecting interest expense), tax position (such as the impact on periods of changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses), the age and book depreciation of fixed assets (affecting relative depreciation expense), acquisitions (affecting amortization expense) and compensation plans (affecting stock-based compensation expense).



Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of our financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our profitability or liquidity.



Adjusted EBITDA Expenses



Adjusted EBITDA expenses represent cost of revenues, research and development, selling and marketing and general administrative expenses, excluding stock-based compensation. Adjusted EBITDA expenses represent expenses which are classified as reductions to Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our credit facilities. Adjusted EBITDA is also a metric used by management to measure operating performance and for planning, including preparation of annual budgets, analyzing investment decisions and evaluating profitability.



Other Operating Expenses



Other operating expenses represent stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets and loss on disposal of property and equipment. Other operating expenses represent expen